As a result, it became clearly evident to everyone that the Lakers were, in fact, in need of a slight makeover.

The Lakers already have a solid core of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

However, they don’t have the necessary pieces around them to be considered a championship team.

In order to be in championship form next season, the Lakers' front office will have to make a series of vital moves, and they may need to give up one or two pieces of their core—this task may be difficult considering the Lakers’ lack of cap space.

But, let us fast forward past the complicated decisions that the team will need to make and take a look at the roster that the Lakers may have for the 2012-13 season.

While many believe the Lakers should amnesty him, World Peace has proved that he still has value.

His defensive abilities are still valuable to the team and, as ironic as it sounds, he was one of the only guys on the team last season who the team could depend on to be mentally locked in during games.

Backup Point Guard: Ramon Sessions

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While Sessions played well for the Lakers during the regular season, averaging 12.7 PPG and 6.2 APG, his production declined in the playoffs, where he averaged 9.7 PPG and 3.6 APG on only 37.7 percent shooting from the field.

In order to improve their bench scoring, I believe the Lakers will be give up one of their best big men and Steve Blake to acquire Beasley, who the Timberwolves seem frantic to give up to make way for Derrick Williams.

Beasley had a down year last season, but he is more than capable of scoring at a high rate—In 2010-11, Beasley averaged 19.2 PPG.

Not only will Beasley help with bench scoring, but he will also be an efficient perimeter shooter, something that the Lakers desperately need after being in the bottom five in three-point shooting last season.

Conclusion

While the loss of Pau Gasol could hurt the team, the addition of Kyle Lowry makes up for it.

Not only is he a really good point guard, but he is also a guy the Lakers can move forward with.

Bench scoring, a category the Lakers were dead last in last season, improves significantly with Ramon Sessions and the addition of Michael Beasley—also, like Lowry, young pieces the team can move forward with.

Meanwhile, the additions of Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby make up for the loss of Jordan Hill.

Keeping Bynum may be the best thing for the Lakers because he is only 24 years old.

His offensive game is already better than Howard’s, and he still has room to improve.

Trading a healthy Bynum for Howard, who is coming off back surgery, is too risky at this point.

Overall, the Lakers improve their biggest flaws while keeping some of their best pieces.